Washburne receives Champion of Justice award

Posted by: Brenda Holmes | Thursday, September 15, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 15, 2016

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 15, 2016) — The Indiana Judges Association presented State Rep. Tom Washburne (R-Darmstadt) with the 2016 Champion of Justice Award today for his work at the organization’s annual meeting in French Lick.

The Champion of Justice Award is given each year by the Indiana Judges Association to one or two members of the Indiana General Assembly for work they have done supporting and promoting legislation relating to the judicial branch.

“Protecting the Constitution and making sure our government is efficient and will continue to be are personal goals of mine,” Washburne said, chair of the Courts and Criminal Code Committee. “I enjoy working with my colleagues, as well as the Indiana Judges Association, to make the legal system in Indiana exceptional while not overreaching our authority.”

Judge Bob Freese, the association’s president, said Washburne was recognized for his work to enact legislation creating a circuit and superior court motion clerk pilot program to provide assistance with preparing orders for complex motions.

“He has worked on this issue over a couple of different sessions, engaging legislators, judges and the judicial center in working to accomplish this,” Freese said. “In this role he has addressed many issues of interest to the judiciary and has come to each issue with an open mind and door seeking input from judges as to the impact of bills assigned to his committee.”